Watch a selfie video in slow motion and look at the bottom third of your face. Do your lip corners drag slightly downward as you speak? Does the chin dimple or bunch up when you try to hold a neutral mouth? That lower-face tension is one of the most common reasons a face reads long, tired, or stern on camera. Subtle, targeted Botox to the depressor anguli oris (DAO), mentalis, and around the lips can soften that pull, shorten the visual length of the face, and restore a balanced, at-rest expression without freezing your smile.
Why softening the lower third changes the whole face
Most people think Botox is about the forehead. Yet the mood of a face is often set from the nose down. The DAOs pull the corners of the mouth toward the jawline. The mentalis muscle pushes the chin upward and forward, creating orange-peel texture and a vertical vector that lengthens the profile. Hyperactive orbicularis oris fibers purse the lips, tightening the perioral skin and creating radial lines that age the mouth. When these muscles overwork, the result is a resting angry face or a stressed appearance, no matter how calm you feel.
By reducing excessive downward and forward pull, we change how the face hangs. The lip corners sit more neutral or lightly elevated, the chin relaxes, and the labiomental fold softens. The net effect is not just wrinkle softening but a shift in perceived proportions, with a shorter, gentler lower third. On video calls and in photos, that reads as refreshed and approachable, even when no one can point to botox injections MI a specific change.
The long face problem, explained by vectors
Facial shape is not only bone and fat. Muscle vectors matter. If you picture the lower face as a tent, the DAOs are the guy lines pulling the corners down and out. The mentalis is a central post pressing up. Over time, those lines and post strengthen through habit-driven wrinkles and muscle overuse, like clenching, grimacing, or tight-lipped concentration. Repetitive facial movements engrave folds, and, with skin thinning from early aging signs and sun damage, those folds become fixed.
Patients with a naturally long face shape often develop compensation patterns that make the length more obvious. The mouth rests low and the chin strains forward, which deepens marionette shadows. Conversely, someone with a short face shape may rely on strong lower-face muscles to define the jaw, which can lead to facial tightness and fatigue. The way to soften either scenario is to rebalance muscle dominance. That is where carefully placed Botox becomes a tool for facial harmony improvement rather than a blunt instrument for lines.
DAO: the small muscle with a big mood
The DAO runs from the corner of the mouth to the mandibular border. It acts like a pulley, turning smiles down when it dominates. When overactive, it can override cheek elevator muscles so even genuine smiles look a little strained.
A few units of Botox in each DAO, placed lateral to the corner of the mouth and above the mandibular border, reduce that downward pull. For most first-time patients, I start with 2 to 4 units per side, reassess at two weeks, and add only if the corner still pulls under animation. The goal is not a permanent upturn, which can look cartoonish, but a neutral lip corner that no longer collapses when you relax. This is a classic approach to a lip corner lift without filler, and it can correct a slight uneven muscle pull that makes one side droop more than the other.
With DAOs, precision matters. Drift into the depressor labii inferioris, and the lower lip can feel heavy or look asymmetric when you speak. Avoid the elevator muscles that lift the lip corners, or you risk a restricted smile. A provider who understands animation patterns will ask you to speak, say “eee,” “ooo,” and smile in different intensities during mapping. I also watch for nasal flare when patients pronounce “m” and “n,” because some people recruit the lower face to stabilize the upper lip, and we must protect that habit.
Mentalis: the chin’s throttle
The mentalis is the muscle you feel when you roll your lower lip inward or hold your mouth closed while thinking. Overactivity creates pebbling, a projected chin ball, and a tight labiomental crease. It also promotes that forward-and-up vector that lengthens the lower face.
Botox here acts as a chin softener. Typical starting doses run 4 to 8 units split into two to four microinjections, placed superficially where dimpling appears on animation. The trick is to stay midline and avoid diffusing into the depressors of the lower lip. When done well, the skin smoothing is apparent at rest and the chin looks less clenched in motion. Patients often report jaw tension relief and less facial fatigue, because they are no longer bracing with the chin all day.
A relaxed mentalis also helps with smile correction in people whose lower lip tucks under during big smiles. By reducing the upward push, the lower lip can roll out a touch, improving lip balance without filler. This subtle enhancement aids speech articulation for some, because the lip has more freedom to form consonants without fighting a rigid chin.
Perioral dynamics: small doses, big payoff
Around the mouth, the orbicularis oris acts like a camera aperture. Too much tightening and the lips purse, lines bunch, and lipstick bleeds. Micro-Botox across the white lip can soften squint lines of the mouth and reduce repetitive pursing. I am cautious here. I rarely exceed 2 to 6 units total, placed as tiny blebs into the superficial fibers. The goal is controlled facial movement, not a “straw difficulty” where drinking feels awkward.
If a patient complains of a tired looking face even when well rested, I check for a patterned pout or lip press that they repeat while concentrating. Often, they are unaware. A light touch in the perioral ring reduces the habit and retrains facial muscles to rest softly. For those who chew one side, leading to facial muscle dominance and uneven pull, asymmetric dosing can even things out.
A note about the nose: nasal flare and nose widening at smile can be tamed with a unit or two to the dilator naris or the depressor septi nasi. This is case by case. Many people depend on nasal muscles to stabilize the upper lip. If we reduce flare, we should adjust upper lip dosing to keep speech and smile fluid.
Does Botox change how you feel or how people read you?
Two questions come up often, sometimes in the same breath: can Botox change facial expressions, and does Botox affect emotions? On expression, yes, it can. That is the point. We are editing muscle output that telegraphs mood. The nuance is that we want to quiet excess without muting genuine emotion. When the DAO is overactive, it keeps signaling disapproval. Reducing its tone lets true expressions read accurately.
On emotions, research suggests that facial feedback contributes to how we experience feelings, but the magnitude for cosmetic dosing is small. Most patients do not report blunted emotions. They report relief from a mismatch between inner and outer state. They also notice social benefits. Colleagues stop asking if they are stressed. On video, they appear more open. These are functional gains for a professional appearance that still looks like the person, not the procedure.
The other side of the coin is facial recognition changes. If someone expects your old downward corners and clenched chin, they might need a beat to process the softer version of your face. It is not that they cannot recognize you, but that their mental template updates. This settles in days to weeks, well within social norms, especially when dosing is conservative.
The harmony between the upper and lower face
Treating the lower face alone works best when the upper face is not shouting a different message. If the forehead is overly frozen while the lower face still pulls down, the expression can look segmented. Balanced treatment often includes light touch to the glabella for frown habit correction and to the frontalis for an over expressive forehead. The target is dynamic wrinkle control, not a slate. I prefer distributed microdoses across the forehead, especially in patients who fear eyebrow heaviness.
We can use brow placement to create a forehead shortening illusion. Slight lateral brow support with a small amount to the orbicularis oculi can open the eye area. This eye opening appearance and periocular wrinkle softening reduces the top-heavy long-face impression. When the brows sit naturally and the lower face stops dragging, the middle third, especially the cheeks, reads proportionate.
How the plan changes for long vs short face shapes
A long face shape benefits from reducing vertical vectors. That means more attention to mentalis and DAO, cautious use of frontalis dosing to avoid dropping the brow, and often a little lateral brow support to lift the eye corner. The aim is to calm downward pull and forward projection. Combined with thoughtful filler in the chin pad or prejowl, this can shorten the perceived lower third. But even without filler, Botox can create a softer jawline curve by reducing tension, which helps with jaw tension relief and clenching relief tied to stress related jaw pain.
A short face shape requires restraint in the lower face, because we do not want to further shorten or compress the look. Here, softening perioral lines and a touch to the DAO can help, but I keep mentalis doses minimal unless dimpling is pronounced. Upper face treatment can play a larger role to create lift and space, giving an eye area refresh that balances the compact vertical dimension.
Facial symmetry correction through asymmetry on purpose
Faces are not symmetric. One DAO usually outpulls the other. One mentalis head often domes more. The lower lip may be fuller or tighter on one side. Using Botox for facial symmetry correction means asymmetric dosing that respects those differences. If the right corner dips, I dose the right DAO slightly higher. If the left chin dimple is deeper, I place an extra microdrop on that side’s mentalis. I always document pre-treatment animation videos so we can compare at follow-up and fine tune.
This approach also aids lip corner lift for people who tilt their smile, or smile correction to reduce gummy exposure tied to lower-face bracing. Small, purposeful asymmetries look more natural than mirror-image injections.
Can Botox make you look stiff? Guardrails that prevent it
The risk of facial stiffness comes from chasing lines without watching function. The lower face must speak, sip, and smile. I avoid treating within 1 cm of the vermilion border unless I am doing lipstick line smoothing with microdoses. I rarely stack units in a single point. Spreading small amounts across the muscle allows graded reduction rather than a block. And I always ask patients to bring a list of words that feel awkward to say, so we can test those sounds at the two-week review.
If a patient relies on strong perioral muscles because of dental occlusion issues, heavy doses can make chewing feel odd. Collaboration with a dentist or physical therapist can help with muscle retraining and clenching relief, especially for those with facial fatigue. For bruxism and masseter hypertrophy, which affect facial profile balance, the plan might include low-dose masseter Botox for muscle relaxation aesthetics. That is adjacent to our lower-face focus but often relevant.
Skin quality and the makeup payoff
Muscle relaxation makes it easier for skin to heal microfolds. Over three to six months, with good skincare and sun protection, fine crepey skin around the mouth improves. Patients notice smoother makeup application and less creasing, especially on high-definition cameras. Photographers comment that the lower face requires fewer retouches because shadows under the corners of the mouth are softer. For event preparation, starting six to eight weeks before a special occasion gives enough time for dosing adjustments and for the skin to respond.
Botox does not prevent sun damage, but by reducing repetitive facial movements that crease the same areas, it can help with skin aging prevention. Think of it as removing a daily stressor. Combine that with sunscreen, a retinoid, and a bland moisturizer, and you maximize the result. For those who prefer a no-foundation routine, the refined facial look from calmer muscles often boosts confidence and reduces the urge to overcorrect with makeup.
What a typical appointment looks like
First, we map motion. I ask you to talk normally, not just pose. Reading a paragraph out loud reveals true habits. We mark the DAOs where the vectors appear, test the chin by asking for a mid-level smile and then a closed-mouth hold, and check for perioral purse. We review medical history, prior dosing, and any episodes of facial stiffness. If you rely on whistling or play a reed instrument, that guides how light we go around the lips.
Treatment itself is brief, often 10 to 15 minutes. Expect several microinjections that feel like tiny pinches. I place you semi-reclined to see the face in a natural hang. Ice, vibration, or topical anesthetic is optional. You can return to normal activity, but I advise you to avoid heavy pressure on the lower face for several hours and to skip a deep facial or massage that day.
Results begin in 3 to 5 days, with full effect by day 10 to 14. We book a follow-up at two weeks to assess. If a corner still tugs, we add a unit or two. If speech feels off, it usually settles within days as the brain adapts. Most patients maintain every 3 to 4 months. Some stretch to 5 or 6 months once muscles retrain and the habit of clenching or pursing fades.
Edge cases and trade-offs I discuss openly
- If you have heavy skin laxity at the corners of the mouth, relaxing the DAO might unmask loose skin. In that case, pairing Botox with energy-based skin tightening or subtle filler support in the marionette area avoids a hollow look. If your smile relies on lower-face bracing because of weak levators in the midface, too much DAO dosing can make the smile feel unstable. We would strengthen the midface first with either neuromodulator strategy in the orbicularis oculi or structural support with filler before touching the DAOs. If you have a history of lower-lip asymmetry after injections, we proceed with ultra-light perioral dosing and prioritize mentalis first. Correcting the chin can reduce the need to treat the lips at all. If you are a broadcaster or rely on diction for work, we schedule first-time treatment at the start of an off week and stay at the low end of dosing. You get the camera ready face without risking a transient articulation change during a live segment. If you have depression or anxiety and worry that altering your facial feedback might affect mood, we can start only with chin softening. Many patients find that reducing the “bracing” sensation in the chin relieves stress cues without changing upper-face expressivity.
How upper-lip and nose interplay affects the result
Some patients flare their nostrils to widen the nose subtly during speech to aid resonance or airflow. If we dampen nasal flare without understanding that habit, the upper lip can feel restricted. Conversely, a unit to the depressor septi nasi can reduce nose tip drop at smile, which safeguards a refined facial look when the lower face is relaxed. The key is holistic mapping. I often record a short video while the patient says a specific line that includes “m, n, b, p, f, v,” then replay it frame by frame. This method reveals hidden compensations that text-book diagrams miss.
The psychology of a relaxed baseline
When the face rests in neutral rather than a micro-frown, you do not have to spend energy counteracting your own muscles all day. That reduces muscle fatigue and facial stiffness sensations. Patients often report that headaches linked to facial tension ease, even if we did not treat the forehead directly. They also notice that colleagues perceive them as more approachable. That is expressive control in the best sense, where your baseline matches your intent.
There is a common concern about botox for facial recognition changes. The reality is that people recognize faces by multiple landmarks. Adjusting the lower-face pull does not erase identity. It rebalances the cues so your genuine smile reads clearly and your resting face does not default to stressed.
Early aging signs: why sooner can be smarter
You do not need deep lines to benefit. In many people in their late 20s to 30s, the lower face starts to overwork as careers intensify and screen time increases. Microdoses address habit-driven wrinkles before they etch. Think of it as muscle retraining. After two to three treatment cycles, the brain stops recruiting the chin for every task. You then need less product, less often. That is not a promise to use nothing, but it is a realistic path to a natural facial balance that holds between visits.
Skin smoothing follows as a secondary effect. Once the microfolds are not https://www.instagram.com/alluremedicals/ cranked repeatedly, collagen and elastin can keep pace. Paired with sunscreen, vitamin A at night, and a gentle exfoliant, you get photo ready skin that behaves under makeup. For special occasions, strategic timing lets you look polished without obvious signs of recent work.
Practical expectations and safety
Bruising is possible, particularly around the mouth where vessels are small but plentiful. I advise avoiding fish oil, high-dose vitamin E, and nonessential NSAIDs for a few days prior if your physician agrees. Small lumps from superficial perioral injections settle within hours. If anything feels too weak, it almost always relates to diffusion into neighboring fibers. The fix is time and conservative adjustments next round. True allergy is exceedingly rare. The more common issue is impatience in the first few days before onset. Setting the calendar helps.
Regarding dosage specifics, variability is real. DAO dosing ranges from 2 to 6 units per side depending on muscle size and pull strength. Mentalis from 4 to 10 units total. Perioral from 2 to 6 units total. If someone quotes a one-size-fits-all number, they are not watching your animation. The right plan respects your speech patterns, smile dynamics, and occupational needs.
How lower-face softening plays with fillers and energy devices
Botox relaxes pull. Filler restores structure. Energy devices improve skin envelope. For a long face with a thin chin pad, tiny filler support in the pogonion or prejowl, often 0.2 to 0.5 mL per point, can stabilize soft tissue so that DAO relaxation lifts the corner more visibly. For smokers’ lines or radial perioral creases, a hybrid approach with micro-Botox and micro-droplet hyaluronic acid delivers better texture without thickening the white lip. If skin laxity blurs the mandibular border, radiofrequency microneedling or ultrasound-based tightening extends the neuromodulator result.
The sequencing matters. I prefer to relax muscles first, then re-evaluate the true structural deficit at two weeks. Filling against an overactive muscle is like propping a door that keeps slamming shut. Calm the hinge, then decide if you still need a wedge.
A brief case vignette
A 38-year-old marketing director came in before a high-stakes product launch. Her main concern: “My face looks stern on Zoom. People think I am annoyed.” Video analysis showed strong DAO pull on the left, distinct chin pebbling at rest, and a habitual top-lip purse when concentrating. We placed 3 units in the left DAO, 2 units in the right DAO, 6 units in the mentalis across three micro points, and 3 units in the perioral ring as six 0.5-unit blebs. No forehead work by request.
At day 14, the left corner sat level with the right, the chin smoothed, and the purse had faded. She reported fewer questions about her mood and an easier time with long calls because her face felt less tight. We added 1 unit to the left DAO for a slight late pull and planned a 4-month maintenance. On camera, the change looked like better lighting. That is the benchmark I aim for: a refined facial look that reads as rest.
When to say no
Botox is not a fix for everything. If someone wants a dramatic upturn at the corners, that is a mismatch. If deep marionette folds come from volume loss and heavy tissue descent, neuromodulator alone will disappoint. If a patient expects zero movement around the mouth, that is incompatible with speaking and eating. If someone is within a week of a major speaking event and has never had lower-face work, I advise waiting. Good outcomes are part anatomy and part timing.
A simple pre-visit checklist
- Record a 30-second video while you speak naturally and smile. Bring it to the consult. List words or sounds that feel effortful to pronounce, plus any habits like straw use or whistling. Note times of day when the face feels tight or tired. Patterns guide dosing. Share any dental work, night guard use, or TMD symptoms that might affect muscle recruitment. Set your calendar for a two-week review and avoid major events for 10 to 14 days if it is your first time.
Final thought: edit vectors, not identity
Botox for facial relaxation in the lower third is less about lines and more about direction. Quiet the downward corners, soften the chin’s push, free the lips to move without bracing. The face stops arguing with itself. You look like you on a good day, with natural facial balance and youthful facial motion intact. When planned with precision, the treatment supports expressive control rather than suppressing it, and the payoff is tangible: a polished appearance that holds up in person and on camera, with less effort from you and your skin.